Blog

06May

6 Reasons to Support the Arts

1. Art Can Help Create a Positive Image for Missoula

Our community relies heavily on the way we are perceived in the world. With tourism and the University of Montana making up the better part of our local economy, it is essential that we present ourselves as a desirable location. While certain recent events may have dampened that image, local arts organizations are making a much bigger national and even global impact.

The Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre Company has traveled across the globe and is poised to bring a global competition to Missoula, while MCT, Inc. has been across the world spreading a positive image of our community for over 40 years. SPARK! Arts Ignite Learning, a collaboration between the Kennedy Center, the Missoula Cultural Council, and MCPS is currently serving as a model for what will be a nationwide arts education initiative.

2. Art Can Give Our Children a Better Education

SPARK! Arts Ignite Learning has in its first year alone impacted over 5,400 students in Missoula County Public Schools. The program, designed by the Kennedy Center and working in collaboration with MCPS and the Missoula Cultural Council, aims to ensure access to arts education to every child K-8 in our public schools. It has been so successful in its first year that the Kennedy Center is looking to Missoula as a model for their national intitiave. With the countless studies showing everything from dropout rates decreasing, to academic performance and SAT scores increasing with arts education and arts integration, we can be confident our students will excel.

3. Art Can Strengthen Our Economy

The Missoula Cultural Council has worked with Americans for the Arts over the years to conduct economic impact studies concerning the arts. The most recent study showed that Missoula arts non-profits generate roughly 40 million dollars in local economic activity, supporting almost 1500 full time equivalent jobs. The arts are a driving force in our economy. Just ask any downtown restaurant owner about First Friday Gallery Walk – the arts mean business in Missoula.

4. Art Connects Us to the World

In today’s world anywhere with access to the internet, or at least a decent 4G connection, can be said to be connected to the world, but organizations right here in Missoula take it an important step further. While it’s true that the world is at your fingertips, you still need to know what to look for, and often a Youtube clip of a performance, or a picture of a work of art can’t compare to interacting with the art in person (particularly when the artist responsible is miles away). However our community is blessed with tireless women and men who work hard to bring the trends, the classics, and most importantly the artists that are shaping our nation’s culture to Missoula.

Across all industries creative minds have the potential to excel. We’re not saying if you learn to paint you’ll suddenly understand the intricacies of tax law or structural engineering. You may not even be able to plunge a toilet, but when coupled with traditional training engagement in the arts provides you with a means to look deeper into an issue, to think outside the box, and to come up with creative solutions to complex problems. Who wouldn’t want to hire a person like that? Recent studies have shown that a majority of employers look for creativity in their employees. That means a healthy art scene in town could enhance your opportunities and it’s definitely a factor that companies consider when choosing a location.

Whether you’re enjoying over 80 bands, dance performances, and other artists on New Year’s Eve at First Night Missoula, taking in oscar candidates at the Big Sky Film Festival, creating imaginitave art projects with your kids at the Zootown Arts Community Center, making the most of Downtown Missoula at First Friday, sharing your story with friends at Tell Us Something, or engaging in the hundreds upon hundreds of cultural and arts offerings our community offers up, there’s no denying that Missoula knows how to have a good time. You can fly fish, raft, hike, and camp nearly anywhere in this state and several places across the nation, but at the end of the day, you’ll be hard pressed to find a town this fun to spend the night.

Art is at the heart and soul of this community, so if you plan on giving, consider even just $10 to help these organizations continue to make Missoula the special place it is. The links above will take you to each organization’s Give Local page. Click on the Give Local Logo below to make a contribution to the Missoula Cultural Council.